Freddie Roach, 2003 Trainer of the Year, is scheduled to arrive this morning from Los Angeles to supervise the final phase of Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao?s training for his Dec. 11 showdown against no. 4-ranked International Boxing Federation super bantamweight Fahsan 3K Battery titled ?Yanig sa Taguig.?
Roach, however, expressed surprise on Saturday when he learned that Pacquiao was shooting a TV reality show in the midst of training for the fight against Fahsan.
The American trainer, who realizes the seriousness of the Dec. 11 tune-up fight against Fahsan and more importantly the rematch with World Boxing Association/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez and decided to fly to Manila to supervise Pacquiao?s training, appeared concerned as did members of Team Pacquiao about the fighter?s easy-going attitude in recent months.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard, Roach warned that unless Pacquiao buckled down to serious training right away, especially for his Feb. 26 rematch with Marquez, he would almost surely be beaten.
Marquez, who recently successfully defended his title against no. 4-ranked Mexican Oscar Salido in a tune-up fight, has already started light training.
Pacquiao, who said he had sparred six rounds with RP lightweight champion Fernando Montilla and three rounds with Chris Saluday on Friday, disclosed he would ?pick him (Roach) up at the airport and we will fly back to Davao? to resume training at the Almendras Gym.
